Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Thought this might be of interest to the general readership. I emailed it to Robin, and felt that others deserved to see it.
quickly to the points:
1) If you truly believe that the "only thing" being revealed is the last name, it shows you are not familiar with the variety of software applications, nor the scope of ability, or the skill with which they are used. I personally know at least one individual, and at least three more via online sources, that can take a first and last name, and dig up all manner of information, including social security number, address, phone number (including in some cases, unlisted numbers). This is VERY strong evidence in favor of deleting last names.
2) Regarding the responsibility factor that is thought to be attached to last names being visible. One striking example stands out as proof that this is NOT effective. Please refer to [a post by a user] (who uses his entire name as his "handle") who posted a thread regarding activity that was all of the following: racist, illegal, destructive, immature. This is not to say that all [this user] posts is "garbage". It IS to say that last names obviously will not prevent those inclined to do so from posting offensive material.
3) If in fact the "1%" is a true reference of how many are the "bad apples" at the bottom of the barrel, consider yourselves either lucky or highly effective, even without the visible last names.
4) I believe in, and have proven experience with, the method of discipline which is used in the Forum guidlines. Simply put, you have moderators whose job it is to "moderate" and "monitor" the forums. As such, they should be the method of deterrance, not the blanket posting of personal info. This does a number of things.
a)it uses the forum guidelines as they were intended to be used. It ensures that ALL, users and staff alike, have the rules at hand, and all are held to the same standard. Also, it shows that the guidelines are in fact adhered to, and thus puts "teeth" into the rules. This is VERY important in regulating and disciplining a large group.
b) It allows each member the privacy they deserve. Even with the names hidden, the staff has access to them. No one else can enforce the rules, why would anyone else need the last name?
c) Using the guidelines as enforcement and discipline, it pinpoints the trouble spots, rather than punishing the group as a whole before anything wrong is done.
One last point, and while it comes off as condescending, is actually a great idea. It would not be a bad idea for those at TDR who deal with membership to take a course such as Dale Carnegie or something similar. It is clear to me that this idea known as TDR has grown far beyond what was originally planned. As such, it is not a bad idea to invest some of the funds in properly training the staff in dealing with the public. I have seen this make (or break) many small businesses. In particular, TDR has made some faux pas in dealing with certain issues that were clearly never anticipated (it would have been impossible to see them coming) and thus no plan of action/reaction was in place. These "people management" or "leadership training" courses would have helped in dealing with those situations, and may have alleviated or solved the problems much more quickly and cleanly.
If you have questions or comments, or simply need proof of the last name security issue, please feel free to reply. I am sure I can get one of my "mercenaries" to provide info on any individual that supplies a first and last name.
Thanks for reading.
quickly to the points:
1) If you truly believe that the "only thing" being revealed is the last name, it shows you are not familiar with the variety of software applications, nor the scope of ability, or the skill with which they are used. I personally know at least one individual, and at least three more via online sources, that can take a first and last name, and dig up all manner of information, including social security number, address, phone number (including in some cases, unlisted numbers). This is VERY strong evidence in favor of deleting last names.
2) Regarding the responsibility factor that is thought to be attached to last names being visible. One striking example stands out as proof that this is NOT effective. Please refer to [a post by a user] (who uses his entire name as his "handle") who posted a thread regarding activity that was all of the following: racist, illegal, destructive, immature. This is not to say that all [this user] posts is "garbage". It IS to say that last names obviously will not prevent those inclined to do so from posting offensive material.
3) If in fact the "1%" is a true reference of how many are the "bad apples" at the bottom of the barrel, consider yourselves either lucky or highly effective, even without the visible last names.
4) I believe in, and have proven experience with, the method of discipline which is used in the Forum guidlines. Simply put, you have moderators whose job it is to "moderate" and "monitor" the forums. As such, they should be the method of deterrance, not the blanket posting of personal info. This does a number of things.
a)it uses the forum guidelines as they were intended to be used. It ensures that ALL, users and staff alike, have the rules at hand, and all are held to the same standard. Also, it shows that the guidelines are in fact adhered to, and thus puts "teeth" into the rules. This is VERY important in regulating and disciplining a large group.
b) It allows each member the privacy they deserve. Even with the names hidden, the staff has access to them. No one else can enforce the rules, why would anyone else need the last name?
c) Using the guidelines as enforcement and discipline, it pinpoints the trouble spots, rather than punishing the group as a whole before anything wrong is done.
One last point, and while it comes off as condescending, is actually a great idea. It would not be a bad idea for those at TDR who deal with membership to take a course such as Dale Carnegie or something similar. It is clear to me that this idea known as TDR has grown far beyond what was originally planned. As such, it is not a bad idea to invest some of the funds in properly training the staff in dealing with the public. I have seen this make (or break) many small businesses. In particular, TDR has made some faux pas in dealing with certain issues that were clearly never anticipated (it would have been impossible to see them coming) and thus no plan of action/reaction was in place. These "people management" or "leadership training" courses would have helped in dealing with those situations, and may have alleviated or solved the problems much more quickly and cleanly.
If you have questions or comments, or simply need proof of the last name security issue, please feel free to reply. I am sure I can get one of my "mercenaries" to provide info on any individual that supplies a first and last name.
Thanks for reading.
